Yarn treating apparatus



Nov. 2, 1954 J. H. QUINN YARN TREATING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJune 27, 1951 INVENTOR JAY H. Q Ul N N ATTORNEYS Nov. 2, 1954 J. H.QUINN YARN TREATING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 27, 1951 JAYH. QumN ATTORNEYS United States Patent fiti ce 2,693,096 Patented Nov.2, 1954 YARN TREATING APPARATUS Jay H. Quinn, Reading, Pa. ApplicationJune 27, 1951, Serial No. 233,905 2 Claims. (Cl. 66-'125) This inventionrelates to the treatment of yarns such as nylon, silk, cotton and othersin knitting operations. More particularly my invention relates toimproved yarn lubricating and wetting apparatus and solutions thereforto condition yarns for passage from the cones through the intermediateparts to the needles of knitting machines in the production of improvedquality of knitted 'oods.

g In the knitting of nylon stockings and the like single ormono-filament and multiple filament nylon yarns are in general used toform the various parts of the knitted article, such for example as themain body and the toes, heels and tops full fashioned nylon stockings.

The single or mono-filament yarn is unsized, and since it is abrasiveand tends to rapidly wear and cut mach ne parts such as carrier tubes,eyelets, guide rods, and the like with which it contacts in passing tothe needles it has been the practice to lubricate such mono-filamentsstrands by passing them from the cones over wick oilers of well knowndesign prior to contact with knitting machine parts. Such oilers arehandled and adjusted manually and are subject to accidentaldisarran'gement with resultant unavoidable variations in yarn tension.This results in undesirable differences in stocking lengths from head tohead on the same machine, and lowers the quality of the goods produced.

The multiple filament yarns are twisted together and generally sizedwith a polyvinol alcohol to hold them together in their passage from thecones through the knitting machine. When used with wick oilers for themono-filament yarns, such sized yarns are passed through separate largeopen topped troughs which in such operations contain a Water solution ofwetting agents to soften the sizing and to provide necessary lubricity,and stitch lock for the knitting operation.

To avoid the variations in length due to the use of wick oilers forthemono-filament yarn, some mills run both the mono and multiplefilament yarns through the large open troughs, with some oil added tothe solution to provide the necessary lubricity for the monofilamentyarn. The added oil tends to prevent proper locking of the stitchesnormally provided by the wetterl sizing which results in sleazy secondgrade products, and in imperfections such as fisheyes or relativelyenlarged holes in the fabric.

Such troughs for both of the foregoing typesof operation are providedfor each section of the knitting machine and contain considerably moresolution than .is necessary to treat the few strands of yarn passingthrough them. Dirt from the atmosphere deposits ,in them andcontaminates the solution, and as the sizing is water soluble some of itaccumulates in .the troughs in operation, further contaminating thesolution which becomes gu'mi'ny and dirty with sludge formation due toevaporation. Also because of externalcontamination and oxidation,undesirable unsanitary mildew, bacterial growths, and fungus forms inthe troughs. In addition, as the yarns pass through the open troughs,the solution tends to spray over the adjacent machine parts, resultingin undue corrosion and requiring more or less frequent cleaning andservicing of the machines, with lowered production, .lowered quality ofgoods, .and increased production costs.

Because of the foregoing disadvantages of the .prior ,yarn treatingarrangements and methods, various yarns treating expedients have beenproposed including passage of the yarns through individual tubes. as f rexample shown in U. 8. Patent to Heuer No. 1,269,604 in which solutionis fed into individual strand wetting tubes through a multiplicity offeed holes. The passage of the yarn through the tubes in such devicescauses circulation of solution between the tubes and the container inwhich they are immersed with excessive treatment of the yarn, strippingof the sizing in the tubes and contamination of the solution. As aresult, such devices have not been successful in replacing either theprior open troughs or wick oilers.

By my present invention 1 eliminate the foregoing disadvantages of thepresent yarn wetting and lubricating apparatus and procedures throughthe use of a combination of novel tubular wetting and lubricatingarrangement with a novel solution which properly wets and lubricat'essized multiple filament and unsized mono-filamen-t nylon yarns,providing the necessary wetting and lubricity for both types of yarns.Substantially uniform yarn tension is provided resulting insubstantially equal lengths of knitted goods throughout the variousmachine sections 61' heads, with substantial elimination er sleazy goodsdue to unlocked stitches, and of fisheyes and the like in the finishedproducts. I

It is accordingly a primary object of my invention to provide novelimproved yarn treating apparatus which may be built initially intoknitting machines, or incorporated as attachments in existing machinesto replace the present constructions and techniques for treating yarn ofall deniers and sizes prior to knitting. This I accomplish by means of aclosed system for the treating solution which substantially preventsevaporation, maintains a substantially constant solution concentration,provides desirable wetting and lubricity, and precludes formation ofsludges, fungus and the like, with resultant economy of use of solution.

A further object of my invention is to provide an enclosed self cleaningyarn treating system in which no residues are formed by evaporation,thus eliminating the need for the frequent cleaning of the apparatus asrequired with present yarn treating devices to remove accumulateddissolved size and sludges formed by evaporat-ion.

Another object of my invention is to eliminate the prior open troughs,and the prior trough solutions for wetting thread in knitting machineswith their attendant, evaporation, subsequent sludge formations,external conca-urination and bacterial growth.

With the prior troughs it is necessary to pass each strand of yarn thruseveral eyelets which wear rapidly and rnust be frequently replacedincreasing the costs of operation and maintenance and limiting themachine production". It is a further object of my invention to passagetheyarn strands through individual U-tubes .in one operation.

A further object of my invention is the provision of novel apparatus forthe controlled uniform treatment of yarn in which all of the solution isused for the treatment of yarn with no substantial loss by evaporationor spraymg over the machine parts. This I accomplish by utilizing'separate -U-tubes for the wetting and lubrication of each strand ofyarn, with each U-tube constantly fed through a single opening from asolution supply tube mam'taining a flow in one direction only. Thesupply tube is continuously filled from an inverted vertical containerof solution which maintains a constant solution level in the tubes, thusassuring proper uniform treatment for each strand of yarn.

:Still another object of my invention is to eliminate wicks and Wickoils for lubrication of yarns in knitting machines :with their attendantmanual handling which makes uniform tension of the yarn from head tohead of the prior knit-ting machines practically impossible. This Iaccomplish by providing treating apparatus in which the var-ioustypes ofyarn are automatically pulled through a single solution with no outsidemanipulation necessary so that the tension is constant.

Excessive wett'ingo'f the sized yarn will loosen the size in the yarnwith the result that itis stripped fromthe yarn by the physical frictionof the knitting process. This removal of size by stripping isdetrimental both to the machinein which the loosened size lodges, and tothe per- 3 fection of the knitted stitch. A still further object of myinvention, accordingly, is to provide a novel solution to wet andlubricate both sized and unsized yarn, the formula of which is adjustedto prevent excessive penetration of the wetting action into the sizing,and which contains a lubricant to minimize wear on the knitting machineparts as the yarn passes through. Since my single improved solutionperforms both lubrication and wetting, I eliminate the prior troughs andwick oilers with the prior separate trough solution and wick oils.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel combinationof wetting apparatus with a novel solution for treating yarn whichresults in a firm stitch formation with resultant production of superiorquality knit goods with control of fabric length, and regularity of thecourses in the fabric.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments thereof, and from the scope of theappended claims:

As shown in the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of a portion of a nylon hose knittingmachine provided with a preferred embodiment of my improved wettingapparatus.

Figure 2 is a side elevation showing a plurality of my improved wettingdevices illustrated in Figure 1 connected to the treating liquid supply.

igure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of Figure 2.

Figures 4 and 5 are enlarged details of a portion of the device ofFigures l3.

Figure 6 is a perspective view form of wetting device.

Figure 7 is an end view of the modified form of Figure 6 with a portionthereof in section.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a portion of another modified form ofmy improved device.

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view of the modified wetting deviceof Figure 8.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numbers indicate likeparts, 10 (Figure 1) indicates the frame of a nylon hose knittingmachine, only a portion of which has been shown. The knitting machine isprovided with a conditioning box 12 which houses cones of multiplefilament nylon yarn 14. The yarn strands are lead over tension rods 16mounted in frames 17 supported from the main frame of the knittingmachine 10 over the top of conditioning box 12. From tension rods 16,yarn 14 passes through guide members 18 into my improved treating deviceembodying the main liquid supply and support pipe 20 of brass orsubstantially U-shaped tubes 22. In this embodiment, pipe 20 forms asolution reservoir structure through which tubes 22 extend and by whichthey are supported. The mono-filament yarn from suspended cones 24 isfed directly into U-shaped tubes 22.

In Figure 2 of the drawings a plurality of my improved treating unitsare shown connected together by tubing 24. The same arrangement andnumbers of U-tnbes is repeated for each section of the machine, assuringuniform style of knitting in each section. The treating liquid is fed bygravity from a liquid supply consisting of a bottle 28, inverted andhaving its open end positioned within a cup shaped container 30. Bottle28 may be arranged as shown at the end of a series of treating units orbetween adjacent units as desired (not shown). A short section of tubing32 is welded or otherwise secured to the lower outside portion ofcontainer 30. A section of flexible tubing 34 having one end fitted upontube 32 and the other end fitted upon one end of the end treating unitas illustrated, allows the liquid in container 28 to continuously fillthe treating units to the desired level in operation. This level ismaintained by any constant level device of well known constructionpositioned within cup such as is used in feeding solution to the presenttroughs (not shown). Bottle 28 and cup 30 are supported upon a shelf 36(Fig. 1) which is connected in any suitable manner upon the frame ofknitting machine 10. Bottle 28 is secured further by an encircling band38 which is also fastened to knitting machine 10.

Tubes 22 pass through and are secured in pipes 20 by welding (Figure 5)or in any other suitable manner. Each tube 22 has a metering opening 42of predetermined size (Figs. 35) through which liquid from pipe 20 flowsto fill tubes 22 to the desired level 44 above the opening as the fluidis withdrawn by the yarn strands feeding into of a portion of a modifiedother suitable material for the knitting mechanism. The outer ends oftubes 22 have replaceable stainless steel or porcelain eyelets 46mounted therein which can be removed and replaced to facilitatethreading of the yarn through the tubes. The openings through eyelets 46are restricted in size to prevent loss of liquid by spraying as the yarnpasses through the level of treating liquid in the tubes in the knittingoperation.

The rounded edges of eyelets 46 present smooth long wearing replaceablesurface over which the yarn may pass without injury to it or to theedges of tubes 22- The outer end of the outermost wetting pipe 20 issealed closed as at 48.

In operation the yarn strands passing through tubes 22 are completelysubmerged in the constant level of solution in the lower section oftubes 22 which is maintained by flow of liquid into the tubes throughopenings 42 which are of a size to meter the solution and maintain thelevel of the solution in the tubesconstant as the yarn passes throughthe tubes to the knitting area in operation of the machine withoutreturn of the fluid with the main body of fluid in pipe 20. The level ofthe liquid within tubes 22 is suflicient to wet the yarn to the desiredextent and to properly soften the sizing on the multiple-filamentstrands. Since the flow of fluid through openings 42 is into tubes 22only, comparatively no contamination of the main body of solution inpipe 20 occurs, and since the system is substantially closedsubstantially no evaporation occurs in operation of the device.Furthermore the solution flow into the tubes is metered so as to provideproper treatment without the drawing or spraying of solution from thetube ends over the adjacent machine parts, and the internal diameter oftubes 22 is such that the movement of yarn through the tubes keeps thetubes clean.

While my improved apparatus has been disclosed in separate connectedunits of a length to service each machine head, if desired it may bebuilt into a single unit for a complete machine by extending pipe 20throughout the length of the machine. Also for large machines thecontainer 28 may be centrally disposed between tube units.

The solution in the feeder bottle 28, being supplied to both sized andunsized nylon yarns through pipe 20 and U tubes 22 is compounded toprovide adequate lubrication of the mono-filament yarn and wetting ofthe sized multi-filament yarn, with proper rust inhibiting protection. Atypical composition which I have successfully used in combination in myimproved treating apparatus, with the production of improved firmlylocked stitches in the production of nylon hose, consists of 1% watersoluble lubricant of the Ucons of the SO-HB series such as 50HB-260 or5OHB600; 0.25% size wetting agent such as Sterox; and .04% rustinhibitor of the amine or sulphur compound type, and the remainderwater. Ucons are polyalkylene glycols formed by reacting ethylene oxidewith glycols to produce different chain lengths depending on the amountof ethylene oxide allowed to react. The numbers of the ucons representdifferent viscosities obtained from the different chain lengths of thecompounds. Sterox is a polyoxyethylene ester formed by reacting ethyleneoxide with a fatty acid ester. The composition of the solution will varysomewhat depending upon the constituents of the local water available,but may be readily adjusted in a manner that will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art to meet local water conditions.

In test operation of my invention in the manufacture of ladiesnylonhose, variations from head to head of a machine are not more than A"either way from average stocking length, the fabric on all hosieryexamined was clear of fish eyes sleaziness, the stitch formation wasabove normal, and elasticity was below average due to firmer stitchformation. The spray present before my invention was applied and theresultant corrosion and gumming of parts was eliminated, and the needfor frequent cleaning shut downs of the machine was eliminated.

To replace the strategic material, such as brass and stainless steel,used in form of Figures l5, the modifications shown in Figures 6 through9 inclusive have been developed utilizing pipes 20 of laminated plastictubing or of a molded or extruded plastic material and tubes 22 ofglass.

The modification if Figures 6 and 7 disclose a treating device in whichplastic pipe 20 and the glass tubes 22 are secured together by rubbergrommets 50 substantially the shape of a keyhole in cross section.Grommet 50 has a longitudinal opening 52 through which pipe 20 is forcedand held in liquid tight relation by the grip of the rubber. Atransverse opening 54 is provided in the lower portion of grommet 50 tosupport tube 22 Opening 42 in this form of the invention is located inthe upper surface of glass tube 22 and is positioned in alignment withopenings 56 of pipe 20 and 58 of grommet 50 to allow proper flow of thetreating liquid into tubes 22.

The modified form of wetting device shown in Figures 8 and 9 employ agrommet 60 which has aligned tubular sleeves 62 integral therewith. Theinner ends 64 of sleeves 62 fit into openings 66 of pipe 20 and tubes 22are positioned within sleeves 62 forming a liquid tight connection andpermitting free flow of the wetting solution from pipes 20 throughopening 42 and into tubes 22.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms Without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come Within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:

1. In combination with a knitting machine having a knitting mechanismand a plurality of yarn supply devices therefor, apparatus interposedbetween said supply devices and said knitting mechanism forsimultaneously wetting 0 and softening sized multiple filament yarncomprising a solution reservoir structure; a plurality of spaced curvedwear resistant yarn treatment tubes extending through and supported bysaid structure, each of said tubes being of a size to receive and guidea single strand of yarn from one of said yarn supply dex ices to saidknitting mechanism; each of said tubes being provided with a singlemetering opening of such size as to permit passage of a predeterminedamount of treatment solution from said solution reservoir structure intoeach of said tubes without permitting substantial circulation of thesolution between said solution reservoir structure and said tubes, andmeans for supplying solution to said structure whereby solution may passthrough said structure and the openings of said tubes into said tubes.

2. In combination with a knitting machine, for simultaneously wettingand softening sized yarn comprising a solution supply structure; aplurality of curved yarn treatment tubes each of a size to receive andguide a single strand of yarn through a predetermined quantity oftreatment solution; means for securing said tubes to said structure inspaced relationship; means forming a metering passage permitting fluidcommunication between each of said tubes and said supply structure fordirecting the passage of treatment solution from said structure intoeach of said tubes without permitting sub stantial circulation ofsolution between said tubes and said supply structures.

apparatus References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATESPATENTS Number Name Date 1,269,604 Heuer June 18, 1918 1,776,529Weinerth Sept. 23, 1930 2,539,953 Hoifecker Jan. 30, 1951

